ACTS of Remembrance began early in Penzance on Armistice Day - Monday, November 11 - when the mayor of Penzance joined representatives of Armed Forces charities to lay wreaths on the 5.03am GWR ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train as part of Routes of Remembrance 2024.

Organised by The Veterans Charity, Routes of Remembrance 2024 saw hundreds of wreaths travel across the country before converging on London and other major cities for special remembrance services.

Joined by others at stations along the route, the wreaths laid on the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train in Penzance made their way to the iconic Paddington Station War Memorial in time for 11am.

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, mayor of Penzance, said: “Poppies to Paddington is a wonderful initiative, bringing together all the communities on one of the world’s most famous railway lines in a symbolic act of remembrance. It’s an honour to take part, and huge thanks to The Veterans Charity, and the railway staff at GWR, for making it happen”.

Poppies to Paddington was created at the height of the COVID pandemic in conjunction with Great Western Railway, as elderly veterans were distressed they could not take part in Remembrance events due to COVID restrictions.

The initiative was so successful that The Veterans Charity expanded it in 2021 to become Routes of Remembrance, involving rail, ferry and air operators across the UK in transporting wreaths, many of which ended up in London on November 11.

Yesterday, Remembrance Sunday was marked in Penzance with a parade and service organised by Penzance Council. People gathered at the War Memorial at Battery Rocks to remember those from the parish who made the ultimate sacrifice.